Initiate fool-proof measures to avert water problem : Minister Rai directs officials

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 18, 2017:  Though Dakshina Kannada is presently not facing any water problem, the district administration must take all precautionary measures to ensure water problem does not crop up in the coming days. All necessary steps must be taken up on an emergency basis, said DK District in-charge Minister   B Ramanatha Rai.

 

The minister gave the  above directive to officials at the progress review meet held at the DK Deputy Commissioner’s office on  February 17, Friday in the wake of   Mangaluru and Bantwal taluks declared as drought-hit taluks. There was a need to  ensure that fool-proof measures are taken so that the public is not hit hard, the Minister said.

Though there is scope to  store water upto 8 meters in the new vented dam, at present water is stored only upto five meters. As storing water above this height  would lead to submersion of nearby areas, once grant towards compensation are released, steps would be taken to store water upto six meters, he informed

Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha who also spoke  said the Tumbay dam presently has 7.65 MCM water stored upto a height of  five meters. Every day 160 MLD water is pumped. As per the present estimates water problem may not crop up  as of now. But in case of reduction of inflow there would be a need for precaution, he added.

The district administration has identified area s in Mangaluru and Bantwal taluks where water problem may crop up. Ten to 15 houses in 3 wards of Mangaluru, 12 wards of Ullal CMC, 9 in Bantwal, 17 in Mulki, 11 in Kotekar and  16 in Vittal have been identified as places where the water problem may arise, the DC informed.

He also informed that Rs 10  lakh each has been released to all taluk panchayats and Rs 5 lakhs to   local administrative bodies to supply water through tankers in the event of water problem.

ZP CEO  Dr M R Ravi  who was also present, said a new proposal to have minimum one vented dam in every village has been  prepared. An action plan that has been prepared has estimated the cost of one dam at Rs 2.30 lakhs. The same has been sent to government for approval, he added.